As Jennings Goes, So Go the Packers

Greg Jennings’ monster start in 2008 only accentuates the relative invisibility of the Green Bay Packers’ No. 1 receiver at times in 2009.

Through four games last season, Jennings had 25 receptions for 482 yards and two touchdowns.

Jennings numbers are down thru the first quarter of the season

At the same point this season, those numbers have been cut roughly in half — 11 receptions for 240 yards and a touchdown, including the first shutout of his four-year NFL career in Week 2 against Cincinnati and three receptions for 31 yards on Monday at Minnesota.

The Packers lost both of those games, in which they also allowed a combined 14 sacks. For a receiver such as Jennings, who does so much of his damage downfield, the offense’s inability to protect and get the ball out on time can have a direct impact on his chances.

“It was certainly part of the reason (Monday) night, without any question,” receivers coach Jimmy Robinson said this week. “It just has turned out that for whatever reason, he’s not getting as many opportunities as he would like and as we would like him to have. It’s certainly not by design.”